The Honored Guest - Chapter 90 - Mariah at the Citadel

#####

Note: Once again, I regret the hiatus in continuing the writing of this story which I love so much. Season Eight of HBO's "Game of Thrones" jumbled my mind and dashed the onscreen hopes of all Gendrya fans. My attention turned elsewhere and I have been sporadically writing about the voyage of Arya the Adventurer in a fic called "Redemption" as well as contributing to my original Gendrya fic "Would a Brother Kiss You Like That?" However, I have been intrigued by the possibility of girls studying at the Citadel, as Arya proposed in Chapter 82, and a chapter of that nature has been forming in my imagination. Arya and Aegon are not in this chapter, although Arya is very much a part of it, and we will observe Mariah in her new home. The tone of this chapter is very much in the lighthearted manner of this fic as I originally intended it, and I hope you like it. Readers, thank you for your patience.

#####

Previously:

Maester Luwin gazed thoughtfully at the message a raven had just brought from the Citadel. He called for his servant and ordered him to fetch Mariah to his solar. When the former homebound butcher's daughter, later lady's handmaiden, and now the maester's own assistant record-keeper arrived, he told her take a seat and offered her a cup of tea. After exchanging pleasantries and discussing a few minor domestic castle matters, Maester Luwin's demeanor became serious and he enquired, "Mariah, you may be surprised by this question, but would you like to become a maester?"

Mariah did indeed look startled and she replied, "But that is not possible! All maesters are men!"

His face bore a peculiar smile as he shoved the message bearing the sigil of the Citadel towards her. Mariah's eyes widened and she gasped as she read an open invitation for the maesters of the realm to recommend young women for a Citadel education as well as young men. As she studied the parchment, holding it with shaking hands, Luwin offered, "If you are interested, I shall recommend you for enrollment as a novice. You have been a talented student here and I am certain that you have the ability to succeed in understanding any of the material. However, you will be a member of the first female cohort to study at that traditionally male bastion of learning, and revolutionaries always face major challenges. Are you up to the task?"

Silently, Mariah considered the proposal. Since becoming educated and a valued member of the castle operating staff, she had begun to feel estranged from the smallfolk, including her family and friends. However, she was not highborn, but caught somewhere in the middle, like masters-at-arms and craftsmen. Mayhaps studying for the unique and highly respected position of a maester was the best situation for someone like her.

Taking a deep breath, Mariah nodded at Winterfell's learned maester and replied, "I would be honored if you recommend me to the Citadel and I promise to work hard to overcome any obstacles. Mayhaps I shall study economics, a field in which I have done well and would prefer to pursue."

Maester Luwin smiled with approval and responded, "I will write to the Citadel and also inform Lord Stark. He will provide you with the financial resources that you will require for travel and sustenance."

Mariah thanked the maester and was very pleased. She had already saved a sufficient amount of money, and if Lord Stark contributed to her funds, she would feel as wealthy as a highborn lady, with no concerns but to concentrate on her studies.

#####

Oldtown

Mariah eagerly disembarked from her ship in Oldtown harbor two days before her scheduled orientation at the Citadel with the other new novices. After a long journey of more than three thousand leagues over land and sea, she felt more mature and confident than a typical maid of ten and five years. Several years earlier she had traveled with the Starks from Winterfell to King's Landing for the royal coronations, but she served as Lady Sansa's handmaiden at the time and now she told herself that she was an independent woman. Mariah was fair-skinned like a typical Northerner, but like her mother and brother Micah, she was also freckled, green-eyed, and red-haired. Adopting a wilding phrase, her friends had japed that she was 'kissed by fire'.

Lord Stark and Mariah's parents had worried about the welfare of a young maiden on such a long trip, especially as she was the representative of the North to the first cohort of future female maesters, so Lord Ned had Desmond, one of his most trusted guardsmen, and a septa accompany her to Oldtown. Desmond had traveled frequently in the service of his liege lord, so the task was not beyond his skills. Once they were assured that Mariah was comfortably settled into the Citadel, they would return to the North.

Mariah and her companions explored the fascinating major port of the prosperous Reach for two days, and the Northern girl immediately realized that Oldtown was far too warm a climate for her furs and woolen clothing. On the second afternoon she installed Desmond in a busy alehouse and accompanied her septa to a dressmaker to purchase silk gowns, robes, and smallclothes that would be much more comfortable. Back at the inn, she proudly showed her new wardrobe to the guardsman and he blushed mightily at the sight of the delicate ladies undergarments. In fact, the poor man had disturbing dreams that night.

On the third morning, Mariah and her chests were delivered to the entrance gate of the famous learned institution that was to be her home for several years. After saying farewell to her traveling companions, she turned her attention to the festival-like atmosphere that confronted her. Examining the exuberant crowd of mainly youngsters milling around the gate, she saw a half dozen maidens of about her own age receiving instructions from the resident maesters assigned to assist with the new arrivals, both male and female. Mariah was highly amused by the obsequious male novices that were eagerly offering to help the girls with their luggage, as two fresh-faced smiling lads approached her and laid their hands on her chests, announcing that they knew the way to the dormitory. Amidst the hubbub, she distinctly heard the high-spirited novices chattering, "Maidens at the Citadel!" "We are so fortunate!" "There's a pretty one!" "I thank the Seven for the wolf princess!"

One hallway of the apprentice's dormitory had been set aside for the female novices, and after overzealous male novices had escorted the maidens and their possessions to their individual 'cells', they left with exclamations of seeing them soon in the dining hall. The girls now had some time to peacefully become familiar with their living quarters and briefly get acquainted with each other before descending for the midday meal.

Inspecting her austere and narrow chamber, Mariah thought, It certainly is like a septa's cell! This seems more like the dormitory of a religious order, not a school. The small room was sparsely furnished with a plain chest of drawers, a wardrobe for hanging clothes, a small table and two chairs, a vanity for her washing bowl and pitcher with a mirror on the wall behind it, a chamber pot discretely hidden by a box, and a narrow bed with a thin and barely comfortable pallet. The girl sighed, Oh well, I suppose that we are not supposed to be too focused on creature comforts. After unpacking her possessions and making her 'cell' as personal as possible, Mariah went out into the common hallway to meet her classmates.

Wearing a hopeful smile, Mariah turned from her door and saw a self-assured girl in Dornish silks approaching her. The girl introduced herself as Gwyneth Yronwood, the youngest child of Lord Anders Yronwood, Warden of the Stoneway. Gwyneth said that she was proficient with blades and had some Sand Snake training. Typical of the warrior women of Dorne, she intended to study military history, tactics and strategy. Mariah observed that she was olive-skinned and dark-eyed, shapely and beautiful, with long black hair cascading down her back. Mariah had seen the acolytes eying Gwyneth with admiration in the entrance hall, completely surrounding her and offering her their services. Whereas many other highborn maidens would have automatically lowered their eyes politely as they have been taught by their septas in such a situation, Gwyneth had boldly stared back, obviously not intimidated. Later she recounted to Mariah that Dorne had long known that women were as capable as men and she had never felt subservient. Mariah, for her part, having served as the maester's and the steward's assistant, had become used to meeting male eyes.

As they spoke, another girl joined them, her blonde hair braided and wrapped in coils around her head and dress in a boy's breeches and tunic. She introduced herself as Eleanor, daughter of Lord Rykker of Duskendale of the Crownlands. Gwyneth asked what brought her to Oldtown and she smiled, "I was present when Queen Arya visited Harrenhal, and as I like to ride and explore, I joined the royals as they inspected my Lord Father's holdings. Like the queen, I have no patience for embroidery or romantic gossip, preferring riding to any other activity, so we got on well." Both Mariah and Gwyneth laughed at that remark and Eleanor continued, "I was amused when Queen Arya sharply ordered Father to improve the agriculture of our region, which is known for grain crops, and how discomfited he appeared. My Lord Father is not too keen on working." The other girls laughed again. Now she looked more serious, "I discovered that I was curious about the queen's suggestions and began to study soils, crops, and crop rotation, which pleased Father to no end, as he was relieved to be free of his obligations to the crown. We implemented Queen Arya's suggestions for changing certain grains in various locations which led to increased production in the following year. Both Father and King's Landing were very pleased, and I was proud of my accomplishments. When I heard that the Citadel was seeking to train female maesters, I told my parents and our maester that I wanted to attend."

The group in the hallway was growing, and now another girl spoke up, saying that she also liked riding and knew her countryside well. This maiden introduced herself as Leona Tyrell from Highgarden in the Reach, adding, "I frequently found myself asking the maester for advice on treating a bird with a broken wing, or nurturing baby squirrels who had lost their mother by feeding them with warm honeyed-milk from a doll's spoon. I attended the births of foals and was not afraid to assist the midwives at birthing babes. I had been constantly avoiding requests for betrothals when the recruitment letter from Oldtown arrived at Highgarden and I quickly informed Maester Lomys that I wanted to go. I plan to study healing here at the Citadel."

Mariah saw that Leona had familiar soft attractive facial features, with long wavy brown hair arranged in an elaborate hairdo, doe eyes, bow lips, and was dressed in an expensive gown. "Lady Leona, if you are one of the numerous granddaughters of the 'Queen of Thorns', I must tell you that I have met your cousins Margaery and Alla."

Leona appeared surprised and responded, "Alla is my sister! And both Margaery and Alla are in Winterfell at this moment. Is that how you know them?"

The Northern girl nodded, "Aye, prior to assisting the maester of Winterfell, I served as handmaiden to Lady Sansa Stark, who is Lady Margaery's best friend. And I assume that you know that your sister is betrothed to a ward of the Starks. We all first met in King's Landing at the royal coronation, and later a group of Tyrells traveled to Winterfell."

"We should talk some more later, Mariah," Leona smiled, "I must hear more details about my kinfolk, especially about the boys Alla and Megga are betrothed to." Then she giggled, "Know that my grandmother was highly amused when the Citadel's request arrived, as she was most interested in the antics of the young queen and was aware that the 'wolf princess' planned to propose that the archmaesters educate girls as well as boys. Lady Olenna has been pleased to see how Westeros has been changing due to the powerful women in the government."

Mariah chuckled, "I have met Queen Arya several times, and I can certainly say that she is demanding and not afraid to insist that her ideas be implemented."

As the maidens chatted, the last girl joined the group, introducing herself as Jocelyn Penrose of the Stormlands. Her father was a castellan, and as she had been skilled with sums from an early age, she assisted him in managing the economics of their castle. Mariah immediately moved to her side and said that she was also interested in that topic and planned to make it her major subject of study. The two girls quickly compared the major products of their kingdoms and discovered that timber was as important for both regions as much as foodstuffs. Mariah was surprised to learn that seafood was a most important commodity in the Stormlands, something that she knew little about, having lived far from the ocean all her life. Jocelyn frowned and added, "As much as I respect House Baratheon, Lords Robert and Renly made it a habit of wastefully looting the treasury for tourneys and fancy armor. I believe that a ruler should husband the kingdom's wealth more carefully."

Mariah nodded in agreement and offered, "Lord Stark would agree with you. I have heard him mutter about how foolish tourneys are. Your present Lord is Gendry Baratheon, a lad I know well as my liege Lady Sansa Stark is now wed to him. Lord Gendry was apprenticed to an armorer before being raised to a lordship, and as a craftsman, I doubt that he would be inclined to waste the kingdom's taxes on frivolous things."

"Oh! So you know Lord and Lady Baratheon!" Jocelyn was intrigued now, "That is most interesting. I met them when my lord father joined the other highborn vassals to bend the knee to them after they took possession of Storm's End." She paused and added, "Lord Gendry is very handsome, do you agree?"

"Aye, but he is also shy and modest," Mariah replied and could not help but blush as she remembered how all the maidens at Winterfell had crushed on the friendly and humble young man, who appeared awkward and embarrassed when conversing with them. "Lady Sansa was very put out when kitchen maids batted their eyes at him and touched his muscular arms," Mariah snickered, "but she had no need to be jealous because he was obviously uncomfortable with their unwanted attention. Gendry the smith sought to make it clear that he only desired Lady Sansa."

Jocelyn smiled and put her arm through Mariah's, "Mayhaps at Semester Break, we can travel to the Stormlands together and visit the Baratheons. I would be pleased to show you my home also." Mariah returned her smile, thinking, an adventure already awaits me!

The other girls now turned their attention to Mariah since she had started talking about Winterfell. It had become common knowledge around Westeros that the king, the two queens and the assistant Hand were teenagers, and all were determined to influence the culture of the kingdoms. They knew that King Aegon's bride was a Stark of Winterfell and they were curious about the North. Mariah told them that she was the furthest from home and found the climate at Oldtown to be excessively warm, adding that snow was not uncommon even in summer in Winterfell. The maidens peppered her with questions about her home, the Starks, and her impressions of the royals and their dragons. Everyone wanted to hear stories about her experiences and Mariah was kept quite busy talking as they made their way to the dining hall.

The sounds of energetic conversations were apparent as the female novices entered the dining hall for the midday meal, although the volume decreased momentarily as heads swiveled to view the newcomers. Even the older maesters turned to witness this unexpected sight; a symbol of the changes that the new administration in King's Landing sought to bring to Westerosi society. Self-consciously, the girls quietly took their seats around an empty table that had evidently been set and prepared for them. They were well aware of the curious eyes of the younger apprentices, acolytes, and second-year novices gazing at them, and were especially mindful of the furtive glances and whispering from the adjacent table of newly arrived male novices. Gwyneth Yronwood muttered, "This is ridiculous!" The confident Dornish girl got up, walked over to the startled lads' table, and announced in a loud voice, "We are all new here, you should join us! Move you table closer to ours." The boys dutifully obeyed her and pushed their table to abut the girls'. As servants began to deliver food and drink, Gwyneth arranged the seating assignments, alternating boy, girl, boy, girl, etc., until all were settled. The audacious apprentice Sand Snake then declared, "We shall go around the table and everyone will introduce themselves, state their kingdom of origin and areas of interest." Her icebreaker activity dispelled the nervousness of the novices, and soon all the youths were comfortably conversing with their neighbors; asking questions and sharing personal information. The adolescents were soon all relaxed and forming friendships. Mariah winked at the Dornish girl for her resourcefulness and she smiled back at her new friend. The Northern girl thought, I think I am going to like it here.

As the novices dined and chatted amiably, Gwyneth addressed the table again, enquiring, "Do any of you boys spar?"

The majority of the lads had been preparing to be maesters from an early age and shook their heads no, but a handsome blonde green-eyed boy from the Westerlands, Tyrek Lannister, smiled and spoke up with mischief in his eye, "My uncle, Lord Tywin, had always insisted that all the men of the Lannister family learn to handle blades." His eyes deliberately raked Gwyneth up and down and he added, "I would be delighted to cross practice swords with you, Lady Gwyneth."

The Dornish girl smirked, "I wager that sparring is not the only thought in your head."

Tyrek was briefly taken aback, startled by her brazen demeanor, then barked out a laugh, and proceeded to suggest meeting when classes were done for the day. Later, when they found a suitable courtyard, as the Citadel did not have an actual armory and training grounds, they tested each other's skills and were satisfied that sparring regularly would be a productive activity for both. After sparring for about an hour with the graceful and shapely maiden, the lusty youth could not resist blurting out, "My lady, has anyone has told you that you are beautiful?"

Her eyes flashing with amusement, Gwyneth laughed, "Only my father and every lad I have bedded." Not expecting exactly that answer, Tyrek was startled and his jaw dropped, lost for a comeback. Then she explained, "In Dorne, most youths have had sexual experiences by the time they have reached ten and three namedays. Now tell me about yourself."

Reluctantly, Tyrek confessed, "Well, I have been twice to a brothel.

The Dornish girl smirked, "That is not the same thing as taking a lover, but at least it is more experience than attaining pleasure from solely your hand."

Tyrek was becoming embarrassed with the turn of this conversation, but recovered his courage enough to venture shyly, "You are a fascinating lass, Gwyneth. I would welcome the opportunity to get to know you better."

Now it was Gwyneth's turn to rake him up and down now with her eyes, grinning, "Mayhaps, Tyrek, mayhaps. Well, I think we have 'sparred' enough today. Now please escort me to the dormitory. I believe we have homework already." She offered him her arm and the smitten lad took it, eager to please the irresistible girl.

#####

On the third day that Mariah had attended the Citadel a pleasant young acolyte approached and introduced himself to her following dinner. She saw that the boy was friendly and harmless, and although he appeared to have only a few more namedays than her, he had already forged several links in his chain, indicating that he was a talented student.

"I am Arron Qorgyle of Sandstone in Dorne, Mistress Mariah," the youth began, "and when I learned that a maiden from Winterfell was going to study here, I felt the need to speak to you. You see, when I took lessons with Prince Doran's excellent Maester Caleotte, my classmate was the young queen, who at that time was simply called Lady Arya Stark. I believe that you know her also."

Mariah nodded, recounting her interactions with the intrepid wolf girl whilst at King's Landing and Winterfell. Mariah did admit though, that as a companion to Lady Sansa Stark, she did not spend much time with Lady Arya. With a small smile, she explained, "You see, the sisters were not the best of friends."

Arron chuckled, "Aye. Arya mentioned quite often that she and her sister were very different and did not share many interests." Arron went on to enthusiastically describe the educational activities he had shared with Arya, and how they had mentally challenged each other. His eyes closed sometimes as he related fond memories of their time together at the Water Gardens.

Mariah studied Arron closely as he spoke about Arya and she realized, this boy is in love with her! As she considered this idea, she recalled how many of the other lads she knew, such as Adrian, Artos, Ned Dayne, and even Gendry, all seemed to desire her attention. She also remembered how this fact discomfited Lady Sansa, especially when Arya interacted with Gendry. And of course, she could not help but observe that young King Aegon was totally smitten with the frequently foulmouthed wolf princess, even when sweaty and wearing filthy fighting leathers. I do not think I will ever understand men! she thought.

Arron went on to explain how the Citadel's request for female novices was the result of Queen Arya's visit. Maester Luwin had briefly described how Queen Arya had convinced the leaders of the Citadel to accept female novices, but Arron elaborated based on what he had heard from the apprentices and acolytes who had been present at the fateful council meeting: "The queen was impatient, short-tempered, and demanding, and eventually held a dagger to the throat of Archmaester Norren, the Seneschal of the waning year, demanding that he sign the order on pain of death! Then she announced that it was time for him to retire and immediately promoted Archmaester Theobald, the Seneschal of the coming year. No one dared to challenge her as she appeared as fierce as her sigil, the direwolf."

Mariah was listening to this tale with obvious interest as Arron continued, "The acolytes and apprentices who witnessed the meeting confessed later that they were in awe of the imperious and beautiful young queen and fell under her spell." Apparently they still talked about it and one artistic lad drew a likeness of the bold maiden in charcoal on parchment as he witnessed the dramatic change in the leadership of the learned institution. Arron showed Mariah one of the drawings of Queen Arya on the wall of an acolyte's cell, saying, "The artist has earned much coin for purchasing ale by making copies of his original work for the other infatuated youths."

Recalling her experiences with the young queen, Mariah studied the sketch, thinking, her pretty face, long dark hair, and small jeweled tiara are accurate, but the size of her bosom has been exaggerated and she would never wear a gown with such a revealing bodice. Later at the midday meal, Mariah mentioned this to the Dornish girl, pondering out loud, "Why are men so fixated on breasts?!"

Gwyneth laughed and retorted, "I suspect that this obsession is a common male trait, and the brains of all men stop working when confronted with an enticing bosom. Unlike women, men are simple and can easily be manipulated when aroused. This fact can be both entertaining and advantageous." Then her eyes glittered with amusement and she whispered mischievously, "Watch this!" Gwyneth subtly adjusted her silk robe, and looking across the table, easily caught Tyrek Lannister's eye. Since sparring with the lovely and clever Dornish girl, he had become very attentive to her presence. As the lad smiled at her, Gwyneth innocently enquired, "Tyrek, what was Archmaester Gallard talking about in Natural History class this morning concerning the uniqueness of the bald cypress compared to other conifers?"

As Tyrek eagerly began to relate, "Oh, he said that the bald cypress was special because…." Gwyneth leaned over to drink from her goblet and casually allowed a pert breast with its firm, pointed rosy teat to briefly slip out of her silks. The lad stuttered and abruptly stopped speaking, his eyes wide and mouth open. Pretending that she was unaware of her sudden dishabille, Gwyneth slowly sat up straight and the breast disappeared once again into her silks. Then she gazed at the discombobulated boy with curiosity and nonchalantly ordered with a nod of the head, "Go on."

Tyrek's face had turned red and he slowly muttered, "I, I forgot what I was talking about."

"Oh, were you distracted?" the wicked girl asked with a smile.

"Uh, I guess so," Tyrek blushed some more, "Oh, now I remember, Gwyneth! The bald cypress is unique because it loses its needles in winter, whereas pine trees do not."

She favored him with another sweet smile and said, "Thank you, Tyrek."

"Any time, my lady," the youth replied, his eyes unconsciously wandering to her chest again for a moment.

Holding his attention, Gwyneth asked, "Tyrek, would you please fetch me another sweet roll? I fear that I am still peckish."

"Of course, Gwyneth," Tyrek eagerly jumped up to do her bidding and went into the kitchen.

When he was gone, Gwyneth turned to Mariah and smirked, "See what I mean?"

Mariah laughed, "I shall have to try that sometime and see what happens. By the way, your trick of confusing the boy with your figure, is that a Sand Snake thing?"

The Dornish girl nodded knowingly, "Aye, a Sand Snake can easily discomfit any man."

#####

Lady Qorgyle was a calm, quiet woman and her Lord husband and her eldest son Gulian were loud, boisterous, warlike men. Gulian, the heir to Sandstone, had even been a squire for the famous Prince Oberyn Martell and fought the Lannisters by his leader's side. For that reason, her studious and sensitive younger son Arron was her favorite, and when the castle's maester announced that he was gifted, she was loath to send him away to Sunspear to apprentice with Prince Doran's talented maester. She reluctantly agreed when Lord Qorgyle, who knew that his younger son had no interest in blades, announced, "Better Arron should become a maester rather than a wastrel."

Maester Caleotte was a kind man and wrote to Lady Qorgyle often about her son's progress at Sunspear and the Water Gardens, and confirmed the belief that Arron would certainly quickly rise high amongst the learned when he was ready for the Citadel. Arron also wrote home often and remained close to his Lady mother. When Arron became an adolescent, Lady Qorgyle was surprised to learn from Maester Caleotte that his classmate was none other than the future bride of Prince Aegon VI Targaryen, the clever and determined Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell. The maester was amused by the fact that young Arya was as smart as Arron and drove him to work harder. He also wrote that Arron seemed to be very comfortable studying with the lively maiden and they had formed a strong friendship. Maester Caleotte added that the apprentice Sand Snake was as forward as many Dornish lasses and the pair had probably become somewhat intimate. Their shared affection was apparent when it was time for Arron to depart for Oldtown.

Arron was progressing well at the Citadel and had been forging links in his chain faster than the other members of his cohort. His mentor, Archmaester Ebrose, a famed healer, was proud of his gifted apprentice and was not shy about informing the other archmaesters about the promising acolyte. When Arron received a silver link for successfully completing a portion of his difficult surgery education, he decided to take a break from studies and visit his family at Sandstone. His home was located in a fairly isolated oasis in the middle of the hot Dornish desert, with few neighbors. After happily unpacking in his familiar childhood bedchamber, he bathed, dressed, and descended to the family dining hall. To his surprise, there was a guest, a maiden of about his age whom his mother introduced as Lady Jonelle Fowler of Skyreach, the youngest daughter of Lord Franklyn Fowler.

Arron should not have surprised that his Lady mother had invited the girl whilst he was visiting because after the young royal's visit to the Citadel, he had timidly written his mother about the new directive that maesters be allowed to wed and indicated that mayhaps he would be disposed to marry, if she could find him a suitable wife. Lady Qorgyle was most pleased and immediately enlisted her friends for the search. It did not take long before Lady Jonelle, as the third daughter of a noble family, was put forth.

The Fowlers were highly respected vassals of the Martell family and Skyreach was fairly close to Sandstone, but set in the mountains of Dorne. Lady Jonelle had dark eyes and brown hair, and was as attractive as her older twin sisters, Jeyne and Jennelyn. Lady Qorgyle learned that the maiden was clever and quick with words, liked to read, and was attentive to her maester about the financial requirements of a castle. Although he had been away at the Water Gardens and Oldtown for a long time, Arron's mother knew her younger son well. From her correspondence with Maester Caleotte, she assumed that Arron is no stranger to interacting with girls, and would be comfortable with a smart, assertive one.

Lady Jonelle had a very good idea why she had been invited to Sandstone and was pleased when Arron amiably started a conversation with her, treating her as an equal and speaking openly and honestly. She had learned that Arron was expected to become a skilled healer at the Citadel and found the concept of a married maester to be intriguing. She also thought it might be interesting to live in Oldtown. After dinner the youngsters walked around the gardens and talked about topics of mutual interest. For several days they conversed and eventually came to know each other quite well. Before Arron returned to the Citadel, he asked Jonelle the inevitable question: Would she welcome him as a suitor and would she consider a betrothal? Lady Jonelle thoughtfully answered in the affirmative, and the pleased young man said that they should inform their families and request permission. Arron added that he also needed to speak to his mentor, Archmaester Ebrose, who could possibly have a very traditional academic mindset. "I wonder how he will respond?" Arron wondered out loud, and both he and Jonelle bore worried expressions.

#####

Archmaester Ryam was young and talented. He was seriously interested in mathematics and economics, and his accomplishments had allowed him to be promoted far earlier than many other maesters. Some of the older Archmaesters japed that he was simply a 'sums scrivener'. However, he was young and progressive, and felt that sums were important, frequently pointing out that it was absurd that the male-dominated Citadel was excluding one half of the population of Westeros from receiving a coveted formal education. When the Council had announced that the Citadel was to have female novices, he stated that he was prepared to offer an elementary economics course during the next semester. Ryam had attended the meeting with the young king and queen and was delighted when Queen Arya proposed that the Citadel recruit female novices. He was prepared to enter the debate which was certainly to follow her proposal. However, his support was not needed when the impatient young queen cut the discussion short, so to speak, by holding a dagger to the Seneschal's throat and forcing him to sign the order. Ryam was a bit worried by her rash actions, but was relieved that the king was obviously much more patient and diplomatic. He wondered why Queen Arya had approached the council meeting with such a dark attitude and so much anger. This became clearer when he learned from a maester in Dorne who was also fond of mathematics that whilst still Lady Arya Stark, she had excelled under his tutelage and was actually writing a tome concerning the application of mathematics to projective warfare. Maester Caleotte implied that the strong-willed and hotheaded young woman was certain that, given the opportunity, she could have become a highly skilled archmaester, and begrudged the Citadel for thinking of females as solely vessels for bearing babes and serving men.

Archmaester Ryam was excited with the Citadel's experiment of admitting female novices and had been supportive of the idea from the beginning. For that reason he assigned mixed gender pairs to the first major project of his economics course, curious to see if the adolescents could work together successfully without distraction. Of course, he realized that the youths would find the situation to be unusual in itself, and that could be a source of distraction also.

So Mariah found herself assigned to an economics project with a male novice that shared her interests. His name was Hoster Trout of Raventree Hall in the Riverlands. Lord Blackwood's maester had taken note of Hoster's cleverness when he assisted his carpenter father in building wooden and metal additions to the castle. Seeing how easily Hoster dealt with sums, measurements, and designs, the maester recommended him to Lord Tully as a novice for the Citadel.

Mariah and Hoster considered the assignment: "You and your partner own a vineyard on the Arbor and are presently quite successful. Describe the ways you can expand your market and increase profits. You can find the data you need in the Hall of Records in Oldtown as well as speaking to appropriate merchants."

The class was given leave to go into town for their research, and by the second day Mariah and Hoster found that they worked well together as a team. They had become quite friendly as they talked about their homes and families, and realized that they shared similar backgrounds. They went to the Hall of Records together and gathered the necessary information for their report. The afternoon was pleasant, not too hot, and there was a cool breeze coming in from the harbor. The two novices took a walk in a nearby park as they discussed how to organize their report and continued their planning over lunch at an inn. When they returned to the Citadel, Hoster escorted Mariah to her dormitory entrance and shyly kissed her hand, murmuring, "I know that we were just doing schoolwork, but I had a wonderful day." Mariah studied Hoster's face as he took his leave and realized that the lad probably had a romantic interest in her. She was surprised to find that the idea actually excited her. Even though Mariah studied often with Jocelyn Penrose, with whom she shared academic interests, she often confided her personal thoughts with easygoing and sociable Gwyneth Yronwood. After listening to Mariah's tale, the grinning Dornish girl asked, "Would you like me to supply you with moon tea?"

Mariah became flustered and sputtered, whilst blushing furiously, "Goodness no! That is the furthest thing from my mind!"

Gwyneth sighed, "You Northerners, and I refer to all the kingdoms north of Dorne, are so obsessed with chastity and maidenheads. It is a wonder that you can actually enjoy courtship! By the time a couple wed in Dorne, they are prepared to offer each other much pleasure instead of fumbling around in bed cluelessly for the first year of marriage."

Mariah looked embarrassed as she reflected on the stern and dignified faces of her liege Lord and Lady Stark, as well as her proud parents, and replied, "I am sorry, Gwyneth, I was not brought up to be as broadminded as you are, and I do not feel comfortable contemplating such behavior."

Now Gwyneth smiled and hugged her friend, "Not to worry, sweetling, I did not mean to distress you. However, since you are no longer at Winterfell, I do believe that you will find that your world view will slowly evolve as you learn how others live."

#####

Archmaester Perestan was also known to have better rapport with the younger generation, and had been one of the archmaesters chosen to teach one of the elementary courses this year. His field of concentration was history and he usually enjoyed teaching his subject. This day he found that he was delivering a somewhat tedious lesson on a warm, humid morning, droning on and on about the seemingly endless wars between the rulers of Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, and Volantis for the pointless domination of the now-barren Disputed Lands in the southwest of Essos. A horsefly buzzed languidly in the high-ceilinged classroom, frustratingly just out of reach for anyone with the energy to halfheartedly wave a scroll at it. Outside the window, palm fronds would clatter whenever a rare breeze stirred them. Perestan observed the clever Lannister boy's head drooping as he valiantly struggled to keep his eyes open, the stylish Tyrell girl politely stifling a yawn, the comely Dornish lass filing her nails whilst wearing a bored expression, the conscientious Crownlands maiden trying to take notes but only scribbling doodles, and the Riverlands boy secretly trying to pass a note to the dutiful Winterfell redhead whose hand was reaching under her desk as she appeared to remain attentive.

Then his stomach rumbled, reminding him that the dining hall was to serve his favorite luncheon meal today: grilled patties of ground aurochs meat on soft rolls with deep-fried salted wedges of a tasty white tuber. Perestan sighed and concluded, "Let me sum up this lesson about political motivations in brief. As portrayed brilliantly in song by the famous bard, Bruce of Asbury: 'Poor man wants to be rich, rich man wants to be king, and the king is not satisfied till he rules everything!' You are dismissed! I believe that the midday meal has been served!" With a cacophony of scraping chairs, the youngsters wasted no time in bolting from the chamber, which emptied out before he had even finished speaking. Quickly gathering his books and notes, Perestan made haste to follow them out the door.

#####

Notes:

Wherever possible, I use real personages from the genealogy pages of "ASoIaF". In some cases I am forced to completely make up original characters, but I lift the names from the canon also.

Gwyneth Yronwood (an actual character from "ASoIaF") may seem similar to my OC, Sarra Martell. It is true. Sarra has always been in my head. I cannot make up my mind whether I want to 'date' Sarra or be her!

Future unfinished plotlines: Lady Nym will bear her babe, Ned and Sarra will conceive, Arya and Aegon will meet Bran in the Land of Always Winter and then return to Winterfell and later King's Landing.

I assume the reader knows who "Bruce the Bard" refers to. I considered calling him "Bruce of the Badlands", but there is no such place in "Game of Thrones".